Monday, July 10, 2017

Trees in mixed media

5x7 mixed media collage on book text done a few days ago as part of another wacky challenge presented in a WetCanvas forum. We were only told to do trees using mixed media, no references or guides of any kind. I chose to make mine imaginary using alcohol ink blots on a brown Wendy's napkin, adhering with matte medium onto a discarded book page. Trunks and branches were sketched in using Micron 01/03 pens, then filled in with Koh-I-Noor Magic pencils, a colored pencil made up of 3-4 different colors.
Image COPYRIGHT 2017 Kay Smith.

Artist's Statement

"Working from dark to light provides me with immediate gratification seeing value comparisons. Whether I'm painting architectural subjects, animals, floral or still life, I am always looking for the darks first. By establishing these values early, I'm better able to judge the values that follow.

Since creating art is a solitary pursuit, I become absorbed and as one with the painting. Initial excitement usually drives me headlong into a sketching mode with or without value studies. Primarily I work from photographs.

I paint because I have to paint; I want to show you what I see. Viewing my works will be a revelation of who I am.